Synonyms: Mothesia paspali, Sclerotium paspali, Spermoedia paspali, Spermoedia stevensii.
Common name: Dallisgrass Ergot.
Claviceps paspali is a fungus that infects grasses, particularly Paspalum species. It produces alkaloid toxins and is commonly found in warm and humid climates. In East and Central Texas, Claviceps paspali has been identified on Paspalum dilatatum and other grass hosts, with reports of its presence in counties including Brazos, Burleson, and Robertson. The fungus typically fruits in late spring and summer, forming dark, elongated stromata that contain perithecia.
Brownseed Paspalum grass (Paspalum plicatulum) with black ergot fungus Claviceps paspali on a shore of Somerville Lake near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, August 29, 2020
Seeds of brownseed Paspalum grass (Paspalum plicatulum) infected by ergot fungus Claviceps paspali on a shore of Somerville Lake near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, August 29, 2020
Black ergot fungus Claviceps paspali on brownseed Paspalum grass (Paspalum plicatulum) at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, October 16, 2020
Dallis grass Paspalum dilatatum infected by ergot fungus Claviceps paspali near a former pond in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, July 24, 2021
Spikes of dallis grass Paspalum dilatatum infected by ergot fungus Claviceps paspali near a former pond in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, July 24, 2021
Fungus Claviceps paspali on dallis grass Paspalum dilatatum near a former pond in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, July 24, 2021
Close-up of dallis grass Paspalum dilatatum infected by ergot fungus Claviceps paspali near a former pond in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, July 24, 2021Observations of the fungus Claviceps paspali in East and Central Texas revealed its presence on two types of grasses: brownseed Paspalum (Paspalum plicatulum) and dallis grass (Paspalum dilatatum). The fungus was found near Somerville Lake, infecting seeds and forming black ergot on the grass. Similar infections were observed at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, where dallis grass was infected near a former pond. The fungus was seen on spikes of the grass and formed dark, elongated structures. Close-up observations showed the details of the infection, with the fungus replacing the grass seeds. The observations took place between August 2020 and July 2021, indicating the presence of Claviceps paspali in these regions during this time period. Multiple locations were affected, suggesting a widespread distribution of the fungus.
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